Sprint Guage as a Linear alternative
Linear is genuinely good — this isn't a takedown. It's a specific look at where the two tools actually differ, so you can tell which one fits your team before you commit.
The short version
Linear is built for software and product teams who want speed and almost no configuration surface — it is fast, keyboard-first, and well liked by the engineers who use it every day. What it does not have, at any tier, is time tracking. If estimates, logged time and estimated-versus-actual reporting are part of how your team runs a sprint, that is a real gap, not a nitpick.
Sprint Guage covers the same Scrum and Kanban ground plus time tracking, and puts audit logs, custom roles and org-wide two-factor authentication on a $10-per-user plan rather than behind a custom-priced Enterprise tier. What we do not have is Linear’s Agent platform or its code-intelligence features — this is a genuine trade, not a strictly-better claim in either direction.
Why teams end up comparing the two
Most teams evaluating Linear are not fleeing a bad tool the way Jira switchers usually are — they are choosing between two modern options. The decision tends to come down to two questions: does your team need time tracking, and do you want admin controls like audit logs without an Enterprise sales call.
Side by side
| Linear | Sprint Guage | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes — unlimited members, 250 issues, 2 teams | None — 14-day trial, then paid |
| Entry price | $10/user/mo, billed yearly (Basic) | $5/user/mo, 3-seat minimum |
| Time tracking | Not offered at any tier | Yes — estimates, logged & remaining time |
| Scrum & Kanban boards | Yes (cycles + boards) | Yes |
| Audit log & SSO | Enterprise tier only, custom pricing | Included on Business, $10/user/mo |
| AI features | Agent platform, coding sessions (AI-credit add-on) | AI summaries, drafting, standups — included |
| File storage | 10 MB (Free) / Unlimited (paid tiers) | 25 GB Pro / 100 GB Business |
| Configuration required | Minimal, keyboard-first | Minimal, and not optional |
Linear’s prices change periodically, so rather than let this page quietly go stale, check Linear’s pricing page for the current figures. Ours is on our pricing page and stated in full above.
When Linear is the better choice
- You don’t need time tracking. If estimates and logged time aren’t part of how your team plans sprints, this entire comparison collapses to interface preference — and Linear’s is excellent.
- You want deep code intelligence and AI agent workflows. Linear’s coding-session and agent features have no equivalent here.
- A generous free tier matters more than time tracking or audit logs. Linear’s free plan covers unlimited members up to 250 issues; we have no free plan at all.
When Sprint Guage is the better fit
- A team that plans against time — estimates, logged work, estimated-versus-actual reporting per sprint.
- A team that wants audit logs, custom roles and enforced org-wide 2FA without negotiating a custom Enterprise contract.
- A team that wants Scrum and Kanban plus reporting, without needing Linear’s deeper engineering-workflow tooling.
What migrating actually involves
Be upfront about this one: we do not have a dedicated Linear importer the way we do for Jira’s CSV export. If you export your Linear issues to CSV, talk to us and we will help map the fields by hand rather than promise an automated import that does not exist yet.
Common questions
Is Sprint Guage a genuine alternative to Linear?
For teams that want time tracking and admin controls like audit logs and org-wide 2FA without a custom Enterprise plan, yes. For pure engineering teams who value Linear's speed and minimalism and don't need time tracking, Linear may still be the better fit — this isn't a one-sided comparison.
Is there a free plan like Linear's?
No. Linear's free plan covers unlimited members with a 250-issue, 2-team cap. Sprint Guage has no free tier — every organisation starts on a 14-day trial, then $5 per user per month with a 3-seat minimum.
Can I import my Linear issues?
Not through a dedicated importer yet — we built ours for Jira's CSV export specifically. If you export your Linear issues to CSV, contact us and we'll help map the fields manually rather than promise an automated import that doesn't exist.
What does Sprint Guage not do that Linear does?
Linear's Agent platform, coding sessions and code intelligence features have no equivalent here — those are genuinely deep, engineering-specific tools we haven't built. If AI-assisted code workflows are why you're evaluating Linear, this comparison won't change your mind.
Every plan starts on a 14-day trial from $5 per user per month, 3-seat minimum.
Move your team over this week
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